What’s Special About This Resort
While there are ocean views just about everywhere on this island, we find the Intercontinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa to have the best for a simple reason: every room here is an overwater bungalow.
There are no mega-beach villas or traditional hotel rooms, so you can be one hundred percent sure that your stay will be on stilts above the mesmerizing water.
The resort is on a quiet motu off eastern Bora Bora, and the stunning sea views are complemented by the majestic sight of Mount Otemanu rising above. Rooms are air-conditioned with an environmentally-friendly seawater cooling system, helping to preserve the vibrant sea life in the nearby Lagoonarium. The Thalasso Spa experience is unrivaled.
Things we like:
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Every room is an iconic overwater bungalow with sea views
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Eco-friendly initiatives like sophisticated seawater-powered air conditioning
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One of the best spa experiences in French Polynesia
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Dive center on-site for scuba divers
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Polynesian cultural shows and dinner buffet at the resort outdoor theater
Things we don't like:
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Some guests find the dining options to be too focused on French cuisine, leaving out Polynesian flavors; others report underwhelming flavors in general
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Swimming pool is rather small
What to Do
One of the reasons guests come to the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort specifically is for the Thalasso Spa experience. At over 43,000 square feet, there are endless wellness treatments to indulge in, including some you won’t find in most resorts.
Imagine having a massage in a glass-floored overwater bungalow, where you can watch the underwater world below or a Deep Ocean Spa treatment that utilizes water drawn from thousands of feet below the surface.
Even once you’ve had your share of relaxation, you’ll find plenty more of it on the beach or by the pool. This resort enjoys one of the best spots on the motu, with sweeping views of Otemanu’s peak in the distance. Enjoy it from a chair, a kayak, or a paddleboard.
While you may only find sand on a snorkel from the beach, you’ll see more than 200 species of sea life living in the Lagoonarium – a spot where the lagoon cuts into the motu and forms a smaller lagoon. You can go even deeper on a dive with TopDive, the on-site dive center that knows just where the best reef and most curious reef sharks can be found.
Other outdoor experiences include parasailing, helicopter tours, and even skydiving. A frequent shuttle boat connects this resort to its nearby sister property, the InterContinental Bora Bora Le Moana Resort, which is just across the lagoon on the main island. That makes it easy to see the beaches, shops, and sights of “mainland” Bora Bora.
What to Eat & Drink
There are three restaurants and three bars at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa, along with weekly Polynesian shows with buffet dinners and 24-hour room service. It’s important to note that for dinner, not every restaurant is open every night of the week, and you’ll need to check with the resort to see the schedule during your time of the year.
Breakfast is served al-fresco at Reef Restaurant, where a massive international buffet is laid out each morning. You can enjoy a light lunch at Sands Restaurant, with a selection of sandwiches and salads, as well as a few grilled dishes. A refreshing dessert (or cocktail) can be found at South Beach Bar, which doubles as an ice cream parlor.
A simple dinner with more sandwiches and some very popular pizzas is available at Bubbles Bar. Reef Restaurant opens again in the evening for Mediterranean cuisine with Asian influence. Le Corail, the resort’s signature restaurant, is available for dinner and offers an “experimental” menu – paired with the largest wine cellar in French Polynesia.
Room Guide
With just 84 overwater bungalows that all sit above the sea, no room at the InterContinental Bora Bora Resort & Thalasso Spa should disappoint. There are a few different view options to choose from, though, as well as the tough decision of whether you want a private pool or not.
Overwater Villas: The four views available, in the order of prestige, are Beach, Lagoon, Island, and Otemanu. Each has the same layout, with more than 1,000 square feet of space and a large terrace with ocean access. Large bathrooms and living spaces leave plenty of space to park yourself for an extended stay with sea views, and the maximum occupancy is two adults and two children.
Overwater Pool Villas: These rooms are identical to the standard versions above and offer the same view options. But, they add a 172-square-foot plunge pool on the deck. If you can afford the upgrade, this is the right choice to make the most of a stay in Bora Bora, irrespective of the view.
Teremoana Pool Villa: These mansions on stilts can sleep up to four adults and four children. They’re the last villas at the end of each walkway with direct views of Mount Otemanu. Two master bedrooms and a massive infinity pool are some of the special perks, along with all kinds of special gifts and inclusions unique to this mega-suite.
Special Experiences
The Thalasso Spa is one of the most special parts of the InterContinental Bora Bora and should be considered a must-do for any guest who wants the most relaxing trip imaginable. There are few other places in the world where you can watch the lagoon life through a glass-bottom bungalow during your treatment or where water from nearly 3,000 feet under the sea is a part of the experience.
There are also a number of ways to set up a special dinner for a romantic evening. Reserve a table at the Polynesian theme night for traditional entertainment and food, or grab a table at the Sunset Theater to see an all-natural show of colors with a cocktail. If you need something more secluded, the concierge is always ready to suggest spots to set up a private table just for you.
This resort is also proud to encourage its local employees to suggest even more authentic experiences around the island. If you want to have a quick Tahitian lesson or find out where to get a traditional Marquesan tattoo, just ask!
Things we like:
-
Every room is an iconic overwater bungalow with sea views
-
Eco-friendly initiatives like sophisticated seawater-powered air conditioning
-
One of the best spa experiences in French Polynesia
-
Dive center on-site for scuba divers
-
Polynesian cultural shows and dinner buffet at the resort outdoor theater
Things we don't like:
-
Some guests find the dining options to be too focused on French cuisine, leaving out Polynesian flavors; others report underwhelming flavors in general
-
Swimming pool is rather small
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